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Food-grade CO2 analysis: new PTR-TOF 1000 ultra application

Real-time Quantification of Impurities in Food-Grade CO2 with PTR-MS

The modern food and beverage industry is not imaginable without food-grade carbon (CO2) dioxide. Its many uses include carbonation of beverages, and as packaging and cooling gas.

In this study we investigate volatile organic impurities emerging from a food-grade certified (European standard E 290) carbon dioxide cylinder using a PTR-TOF 1000 ultra.

The PTR-TOF 1000 ultra is a compact PTR-TOFMS equipped with the ION-BOOSTER funnel technology. Its high sensitivity make the PTR-TOF 1000 ultra a perfect tool for applications where complex matrices have to be rapidly analyzed. One such example application is quality assurance in the food and flavor industry.

We observe that concentrations of volatile impurities detected in food-grade CO2 show a dynamic behavior, with maxima at different times after opening the cylinder. Consequently, the time of measurement for QA or introduction of the CO2 into food will have a significant influence on the level of impurities.

Concentration vs. time. Impurities show different dynamic.

These results emphasize the great advantage of real-time analysis in food & flavor quality assurance and demonstrate the benefits of the PTR-TOF 1000 ultra instrument:

  • high-sensitivity and immediate results even for complex matrix
  • sub-pptv detection limits with ION-BOOSTER funnel technology
  • high-resolution allowing for separation and identification of VOCs

Food-grade CO2 analysis poster

Download our Pittcon 2017 conference poster